Trojans Match Their Win Total from Last Season in Conference Home Opener

Thursday, January 6

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

11-5,2-1Sun Belt

Coastal Carolina

9-6,1-2Sun Belt

Coastal Carolina

Troy

Trojans Match Their Win Total from Last Season in Conference Home Opener

1/6/2022 10:00:00 PM | Basketball (M)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. - Outscoring Coastal Carolina 41-30 in the second half, Troy returned to Trojan Arena with an impressive 79-69 victory over the Chanticleers Thursday night in Sun Belt men's basketball action. The win was the Trojans' 11th of the season, tying their win total from last season through just 16 games.

Efe Odigie and Jakevan Leftridge led Troy (11-5, 2-1 SBC) in scoring with 13 apiece on a combined 9-of-15 from the field. Leftridge's 13 points proved to be a career-high off the bench.  

Zay Williams could do no wrong and provided in all facets of the game, achieving his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. All 12 of his points came in the second half. 

The Chanticleers (9-6, 1-2 SBC) shot 42 percent from the field and led by one point at halftime. Vince Cole had his way offensively, scoring a career-high 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including four from behind the arc.  
 
Where Was it Decided? 
The Trojans entered the locker room at halftime down by one before coming out of the gates swinging. Leftridge was lights out all game, including knocking down one from deep just three minutes and 14 seconds into the second half, which sparked a 15-1 run over the next five minutes to give the Trojans the lead, 47-35.

After wrestling back-and-forth, the Trojans opened another big run, this one a 10-0 spurt. Leftridge and Desmond Williams accounted for all 10 of Troy's points in the stretch to put the Trojans up 61-42 with 6:02 remaining.
  
Breath of Life at the End of the First Half 
The Trojans struggled early as they could not find their touch. The Trojans shot just 32.4 percent in the first half, including 3-of-14 from deep.

Down by five with 1:28 remaining in the first half, the Trojans were ignited by Odigie with a clean layup off the assist from Zay Williams.

Duke Miles contributed consecutive buckets on this brief 6-2 run to end the half, including a driving layup at the buzzer.  
  
Straight from Head Coach Scott Cross 
 "Our guys played extremely hard. In the second half, our guys won the rebounding battle. We won the turnover battle, and our guys were diving on the floor. We played as tough as we possibly could, and that made the difference. Our guys really were connected tonight on both ends of the floor. We had great communication, great ball movement, with some great shots. It's just a huge win for the program."

"Zay Williams was crashing offensive boards. Jakevan Leftridge gave us a big boost off the bench. He had had a whole lot of playing time and grabbed some offensive rebounds. He got some putbacks and some deflections. Efe was a presence inside, and he got them in foul trouble. And then when they were double-teaming him, he was passing out of it, and he was finding an open guy."
  
Notable Numbers 
 
• This is the 11th game the Trojans had three players finish with double-digit points. They are 9-2 when three individuals put up those numbers.

• Jakevan Leftridge tied for a team-high 13 points in the game. This also marked a career-high for Leftridge. His previous best was 10 against Appalachian State on Dec. 21, 2019.

• Leftridge scored his 13 points in 22:38 of action off the bench. This is the ninth game a player put up double-digit points off the bench for the Trojans. With the win, Troy is 7-2 when a non-starter has 10 or more points.

• The win marks the 11th on the season, tying Troy's total from last season. It also puts the Trojans back on track for the best start since the 2003-04 season at 11-5.
  
What's Coming Next? 
The Trojans continue their four-game homestand with a matchup against Appalachian State on Saturday at 4 p.m. 